In September 2024, East Melbourne welcomed Australia's first Lanson Place outpost. The group behind this hotel already boasts eight lavish properties throughout Asia, and this Melbourne site lives up to all the luxurious hype. It's housed within and above the heritage-protected 1901 Salvation Army Printing Works by Parliament Gardens, which was totally transformed through a $80 million renovation. The historic facade remains, but the interior has been gutted and replaced with luxe contemporary finishes. The team has also included 325 commissioned pieces of art and sculpture that are said to be inspired by the building's storied past as a printing press. This includes the lobby's 40-metre-long ceiling installation which mimics both falling paper and the bark from a native melaleuca paperbark tree. As you move through the rest of the hotel, you'll find a 20-metre swimming pool, fitness centre, coworking space, and a ground-floor all-day diner and bar that champions Aussie produce. Chronicle 502 Bar & Dining serves up classic Euro-inspired fare — using top-tier local produce — but the menu does feel a little lacking. You will be spending quite a bit here to get some very simple eats. But that seems to be the point — it is inoffensive food that pleases everyone and focuses on catering for hotel guests. If you're staying here and want really superb food, we recommend heading to some of Melbourne CBD's best restaurants. But if you are leaning into the staycation vibes and don't want to leave the hotel — dinner or lunch here will surely hit the spot. If you book a room with views across Parliament Gardens and the city skyline, we suggest you have this food in your room. The floor-to-ceiling windows let you see the city in all its glory, from the MCG and St Patrick's Cathedral to Parliament House and The Princess Theatre. All up, there are 137 accommodations available, including classic hotel rooms, studio apartments, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a couple of totally luxe penthouses. You've got all the usual five-star amenities here, plus an extensive pillow menu for those fussy sleepers. Anyone would be very comfortable staying at Lanson Place, which has a prime location right by the CBD.
